Unilab Foundation is partnering with Ormoc LGU to improve the delivery of health care in remote areas
The Unilab Foundation, through its research and policy arm the Unilab Center for Health Policy (UCHP), is partnering with the local government of Ormoc City to develop and implement a Universal Health Care (UHC) Universal Health Care (UHC) Service Delivery Framework designed for the so-called GIDA (Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas).
GIDA targets communities that face geographic, socioeconomic, and infrastructural barriers to accessing basic health services, including remote, hard-to-reach, conflict-affected, or underserved areas due to limited health facilities and personnel. These communities often have high health risks and limited access to timely, quality care.
Ormoc City, located in the western part of the province of Leyte, is a major economic and commercial center in Eastern Visayas. While the city has seen strong growth and development, it also operates in remote and hard-to-reach rural areas, making it an ideal place to test new approaches to primary health care delivery that can be scaled to similar communities across the country.
Under the agreement, UCHP will collaborate with the City of Ormoc in strengthening the local health care delivery system to better address identified health needs and prepare for Global Health Care needs, especially in serving the GIDA communities.
The partnership also aims to increase resources to develop frontline health workers and community workers through access to the latest tools, programs, processes, and collaborations.
In addition, the UCHP will advocate for policies that help address gaps in health system readiness and promote strong public-private partnerships to improve linkages with the private sector.
He said. Jose Maria A. Ochave, executive director of the Unilab Foundation, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving access to quality primary care in underserved areas.
“We look forward to working closely with the Ormoc City government and our partners to support data-driven planning, innovative care models, and strong partnerships in the local health system,” said Ochave. “Through this partnership, we hope to help build a sustainable framework that improves access, strengthens referral programs, and supports better health outcomes for communities in GIDA areas.”
As part of the collaboration, the partners aim to complete a GIDA-validated landscape analysis, including a geo-tagged resource map and basic indicators to guide future interventions. The partnership also seeks to develop and formally adopt a UHC-compliant Primary Care Service Delivery Framework, design and test operational models enabled by technology such as mobile diagnostics and telemedicine, and establish a collaborative model between LGUs and hospitals to improve referrals and community-facing primary care services.
Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez expressed her gratitude for the cooperation, noting the importance of being selected as a test site. “Thank you for thinking of Ormoc. You could have chosen any other place in the Philippines considering how wide your reach is, but you chose Ormoc and we are blessed and very grateful for this partnership,” said the mayor.
The partnership also includes Gatchalian Medical Center, a private hospital in Ormoc City that is part of Unilab led by Mount Grace Group of Hospitals. Gatchalian Medical Center will serve as a key partner in enabling private hospital participation and strengthening referral networks within the local health system.
He said. Garney Candelaria, chairman of the Gatchalian Medical Center, said the hospital is committed to working in partnership with the city government and UCHP to improve health delivery in selected GIDA communities. “We will support efforts to improve access to basic health care by equipping barangay health stations with basic telehealth equipment and referrals, ensuring communication in remote areas, and providing training for health workers and managers,” said Candelaria. “We also look forward to jointly developing programs, protocols, and referral mechanisms that will help ensure the seamless movement of patients in primary, secondary, and tertiary care.”
UCHP noted that it continues to pursue programs that will promote the successful implementation of the Universal Health Care Act in close collaboration with both national and local government units.
The health center has recently entered into a partnership with the Department of Budget and Management to strengthen the alignment and effectiveness of local government health expenditures, strengthening efforts to create an integrated, robust, and equitable health care system.
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